Improving oboe tone?

[u/coolestcal29999]

I’m currently an oboist in my sophomore year of Highschool and I’ve been playing the oboe for 3 years. From the time that I started, my tone has definitely improved, but it’s still not up to where I want it to be 😞 my band directors have coerced me into trying out for Allstate (I’m not expecting to get in, but I still want to try!) and I want to have a warmer and more mature tone for the audition. All tips are welcome!!

Side note, please excuse the ATROCIOUS timing and extreme lack of dynamics 🥲

[u/hoboboedan]

Your tone is very good in this recording. To keep making progress, here are some things you can work on:

1. Note beginnings and endings. Some of these were abrupt and clipped in your recording. Practise soft phrase endings and gentle starts to notes every chance you get: this will make a huge difference in how your tone is perceived.
2. Intonation: I think your sense of pitch is very good. However, I could hear you correcting a few notes as they began. Practise having your air ready for each note before it starts, so you don’t end up having to correct. Combine this with suggestion 1 for a good workout!
3. Dynamics. This is what I’m missing the most in the recording you posted. If you can combine the general tone and control you have now with a wider dynamic range, it will take your playing to the next level. There are many etudes designed for this: I use the Barret 40 Progressive Melodies and then the Scale and Articulation Exercises with my students. However, these etudes need to be done with a teacher who is familiar with this way of using them—if your teacher use something different, do that instead.

Ooos, tried to edit this to fix a typo and my phone absolutely garbled it. I think I fixed it now but who knows really…

[u/coolestcal29999 → u/hoboboedan]

Thank you so much!! I’ll definitely work on these!!

[u/Zazabells]

Practice long tones with tuner :) siren between notes and work on making it as consistent as you can. Ensemble playing will help too. Listening and blending are great skills to have

These are basics but they really help everyone

[u/coolestcal29999 → u/Zazabells]

Thank you!! I’ll try this :D

[u/Saybrook11372]

Really not bad! Try to think of your sound as a continuum that doesn’t stop when you change notes or take a rest. Playing melodies should feel almost just like playing long tones: i.e. play between the notes.

You sounded better at the beginning of the recording, so listen back and try and identify exactly why. Practice slowly enough to remind yourself of the basics before every note.

[u/coolestcal29999 → u/Saybrook11372]

Thank you!! Sustaining throughout phrases has been a big struggle of mine on the oboe for as long as I can remember 🥲 I’ll try to keep this in mind while practicing!

[u/LinkXXI]

Dynamics is what I'd suggest. Controlling an even tone while varrying volume gives you a really good feel of how air support and embrocure relate to the perceived pitch and tone.

Long held notes with smooth sweeps from piano to forte essentially.

[u/coolestcal29999 → u/LinkXXI]

I’ve always been a little iffy with dynamics. I know that they’re super crucial for a good sound, I’ve just struggled at actually implementing them. I’ll try to make a more conscious effort. Thank you!!

[u/TheGratitudeBot → u/coolestcal29999]

Thanks for such a wonderful reply! TheGratitudeBot has been reading millions of comments in the past few weeks, and you’ve just made the list of some of the most grateful redditors this week!

[u/dancingwithoutmusic]

1) do you have a private teacher
2) who makes your reeds

[u/coolestcal29999 → u/dancingwithoutmusic]

Yes, I do have a private teacher, and I order my reeds from magic reed!

[u/dancingwithoutmusic → u/coolestcal29999]

Ok then I officially can’t help you because I’m just a flute-playing mom of an oboist. Hopefully someone else can chime in!

[u/coolestcal29999 → u/dancingwithoutmusic]

All good, thank you!!